“Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (hereinafter the “Engineer visa”) is one of the most common work-related residence statuses among foreign nationals working in Japan. There are several routes to obtaining permanent residence from an Engineer visa. This article explains the strategy for obtaining permanent residence in the shortest time.
The General Route: 10 Years of Residence (5 Years or More of Employment)
The basic route for those on an Engineer visa to apply for permanent residence is as follows.
The person must have resided in Japan continuously for 10 years or more. Within this period, the person must have resided continuously for 5 years or more with a work-related residence status.
Typical Timeline
| Years | Residence Status | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Years 1-4 | Student | 4 years |
| Years 5-6 | Engineer visa (renewed from 1 year to 3 years) | 6 years |
| Years 7-9 | Engineer visa (renewed from 3 years to 5 years) | 9 years |
| Year 10 | Engineer visa (5 years of employment reached) → Permanent residence application | 10 years |
Note: The longest period of stay is “5 years,” but for applications made by March 31, 2027 (Reiwa 9), “3 years” is also recognized as the longest period (transitional measure).
The Shortened Route via Highly Skilled Professional
Using the highly skilled professional points system allows for substantial shortening.
Route Comparison Table
| Route | Required Period of Residence | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General route | 10 years (including 5 years of employment) | None in particular |
| Highly skilled professional 70-point route | 3 years | 70 points or more |
| Highly skilled professional 80-point route | 1 year | 80 points or more |
Examples of Highly Skilled Professional Points Calculation
Below are examples of points calculation where a person on an Engineer visa aims for permanent residence as a Highly Skilled Professional (Highly Skilled Professional (i)(b)).
Case: Age 30, master’s degree, annual income ¥5 million
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Education: master’s degree | 20 points |
| Work history: 5 years | 10 points |
| Annual income: ¥5 million | 15 points |
| Age: 30 | 15 points |
| Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N1 | 15 points |
| Total | 75 points |
In this case, since it is 70 points or more, the 3-year route can be used.
Case: Age 28, master’s degree, annual income ¥6 million, JLPT N1
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Education: master’s degree | 20 points |
| Work history: 3 years | 5 points |
| Annual income: ¥6 million | 20 points |
| Age: 28 | 15 points |
| Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N1 | 15 points |
| Graduated from a Japanese university | 10 points |
| Total | 85 points |
In this case, since it is 80 points or more, the shortest 1-year route can be used.
Applying for Permanent Residence While on an Engineer Visa vs. Changing to Highly Skilled Professional
Waiting 10 Years While Remaining on an Engineer Visa
Advantages:
- No procedure to change residence status is needed
- Relatively high freedom to change jobs
- The procedure is simple
Disadvantages:
- It takes at least 10 years until a permanent residence application
- In the meantime, extensions of the period of stay are required
Changing to Highly Skilled Professional
Advantages:
- A permanent residence application is possible in as little as 1 year (80 points) or 3 years (70 points)
- You can receive various preferential measures as a Highly Skilled Professional
Disadvantages:
- A procedure to change status of residence is required
- A change of status of residence may be required when changing jobs
- The risk of no longer being able to maintain the points
A Third Option: Applying with the Points Calculation While Remaining on an Engineer Visa
Important: In fact, a permanent residence application using the highly skilled professional points is possible without changing your residence status to “Highly Skilled Professional.”
The Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence provide that the exception also applies where “the points calculation is performed using the point 3 years (or 1 year in the case of 80 points) before the date of the permanent residence application as the reference, and it is recognized that the person had 70 points or more (80 points or more).”
In other words, even while on an Engineer visa, if you have 70 points or more you can apply for permanent residence in 3 years, and if you have 80 points or more, in 1 year.
Criteria for Deciding: Which Route Should You Choose?
| Decision Point | General 10-Year Route | Highly Skilled Professional Route |
|---|---|---|
| Points below 70 | Choose this one | Not available |
| Points of 70-79 | Takes 10 years | Can apply in 3 years |
| Points of 80 or more | Takes 10 years | Can apply in 1 year |
| Planning to change jobs frequently | The Engineer visa is flexible | Highly Skilled Professional has constraints |
| Approaching 10 years of residence | Apply as you are | Little benefit in changing |
A Roadmap for Those Aiming for Permanent Residence from an Engineer Visa
Immediately After Arriving in Japan (Year 1)
- Calculate your highly skilled professional points and understand your current score
- Make a plan to make up any shortfall in points (taking the JLPT, increasing your income, etc.)
Years 2-3 of Residence
- Points of 80 or more → Consider a permanent residence application
- Points of 70 or more → Consider a permanent residence application in year 3
- Points below 70 → Prepare with the general 10-year route in mind
Year 5 of Residence Onward
- Aim to renew to a period of stay of “5 years”
- Make your tax, pension, and health insurance payment record flawless
- Manage the number of days spent outside Japan
Year 10 of Residence
- Permanent residence application via the general route
Reference: Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised February 24, 2026) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Q&A on the Points System for Highly Skilled Professionals — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Our Support
For consultations regarding permanent residence applications, please entrust them to Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office.
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